Will ensure that Delhi gang rape victim's death will not go in vain: Sonia Gandhi

Jaipur, Jan.20 (ANI): Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday said that the December 16, 2012 gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in a running bus in Delhi would not go in vain, and added that every woman and every girl has a fundamental right to be secure and safe in the country.

Addressing Congress leaders and workers ahead of the release of the Jaipur Declaration on the outcomes of the two-day Chintan Shivir of the party, Gandhi also vowed to take personal initiative to see that women are adequately represented in the Indian Parliament.

Referring to the brutal gang-rape that shook the nation, Gandhi described her as a symbol of women and children who suffer from similar fates.

She also objected to some of the outrageous comments made by certain politicians, adding that:"We can not tolerate mindsets that lead to crimes against women. Every woman, every girl in our country has the fundamental right to be secure and safe."

"I will personally continue to press for the Women's Reservation Bill which will allow 1/3rd reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures," she said.

Gandhi also highlighted the achievements of the UPA Government such as the direct cash transfer scheme and the ongoing fight against corruption.

The government has initiated a five-point programme, including drafting laws to combat corruption, she said.

The Congress also called on all secular and progressive forces to unite in ideological battle against "those who polarise and divide society".

Gandhi also said that if the party remained united in its endeavour to provide good governance to the people of the nation, she saw no reason why the UPA could not come to power at the Centre for a third consecutive five-year-term when general elections are held in 2014. (ANI)

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